The objective of this randomized, controlled trial is to determine if adding a protein-calorie supplement (PCS) to the standard treatments for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV will improve health outcomes. The investigators will enroll 180 HIV-positive women with newly diagnosed active TB and without prior anti-retroviral therapy (ART). At baseline, the investigators will conduct dietary interviews, measure body composition, randomize subjects to receive a PCS (plus micronutritional supplements [MNS]) or control (MNS only) for the 6-month duration of anti-TB therapy (ATT) plus an additional 2 mos (8 mos total). Subjects will be followed monthly and have CD4 counts at baseline, 2, 8 and 12 months. At 2 months (i.e., at the end of the 4 drug intensive phase of TB treatment and start of the 2 drug continuation phase), all subjects will be started on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) based on Tanzanian Ministry of Health guidelines (currently: AZT/3TC/efavirenz). The primary endpoint will be change in CD4 count after 8 months (i.e., at end of PCS/MNS intervention and 2 months after completion of ATT).

The objective of this randomized, controlled trial is to determine if adding a protein-calorie supplement (PCS) to the standard treatments for tuberculosis (TB) and HIV will improve health outcomes. The investigators will enroll 180 HIV-positive women with newly diagnosed active TB and without prior anti-retroviral therapy (ART). At baseline, the investigators will conduct dietary interviews, measure body composition, randomize subjects to receive a PCS (plus micronutritional supplements [MNS]) or control (MNS only) for the 6-month duration of anti-TB therapy (ATT) plus an additional 2 mos (8 mos total). Subjects will be followed monthly and have CD4 counts at baseline, 2, 8 and 12 months. At 2 months (i.e., at the end of the 4 drug intensive phase of TB treatment and start of the 2 drug continuation phase), all subjects will be started on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) based on Tanzanian Ministry of Health guidelines (currently: AZT/3TC/efavirenz). The primary endpoint will be change in CD4 count after 8 months (i.e., at end of PCS/MNS intervention and 2 months after completion of ATT).

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

female,

HIV,

age > 18,

CD4 > 50,

BMI>16

new TB diagnosis,

not on anti-retroviral therapy,

residence in Dar es Salaam

Exclusion Criteria:

current anti-retroviral therapy,

serious co-morbidities

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01635153